i've got this from an email in our camera club yahoo group
i've been looking for this article for quite so long so that i can share it here as well
12 ELEMENTS OF A MERIT PRINT
By Tim Mathiesen
Twelve elements have been defined as necessary for the success of an art piece or image.Any image, art piece or photograph will reveal some measure of all twelve elements, while a visually superior example will reveal obvious consideration of each one. They are:
1. IMPACT - Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder or another intense emotion.
2. CREATIVI